The forgotten asset – Tamron Adaptall lenses!

We deal in used film cameras…it’s not a secret! Camera’s are an integral and fascinating part of our business and there’s always stuff to learn…nobody knows everything and we of course are no exception to that rule and that’s what keeps it interesting.

Part of being able to offer used equipment at good prices comes from buying right, add in the time and materials to prepare a camera for sale and you begin to consider the real equation. One of the biggest challenges is glass; lens prices are going crazy.

A branded standard lens can cost as much, if not much more than a matching camera body. Especially Nikkor for Nikon, where say a 50mm f1.4 Ai lens can now sell for sums in excess of £200. Even less desirable brands of lenses such as the Pentax 50mm f1.7 PKA are now recognised as incredible glass, and glass that can be adapted to fit contemporary digital cameras. Hence via film AND digital markets, prices of original camera maker lenses are pushed up and up…

So what to do? Charge more of course…we have to, that’s commerce!

There are alternatives however, to the uninitiated it can seem scary to stray from the path of Canon, Nikon, Pentax or whoever…you get crap photos if you do eh? A very silly notion implanted by today’s camera makers!

If you’ve not heard then allow us to introduce the Adaptall System from Tamron

In 1976 Tamron had the genius idea to make a range of economical lenses that would help reduce retail cost of good glass to the public. They introduced a range of lenses that would, with an inexpensive adapter, fit any make of camera and they called it “Adaptall”

Keep the lens change the fitting – perfect! Adaptall lenses fit just about everything…Canon, Nikon, Olypmus, Pentax, Minolta, Rollei, M42 Contax/Yashica and so on and so on.

This meant much reduced production costs throughout the lifespan of these lenses! Meaning: Cheaper than actual makers! Could be retained if the photographer changed cameras! Could be even used in mixed make camera kits!

Aimed primarily at the budget market, Tamron insist that at no stage did they “Scrimp on the cost of optical quality”. This is the important…no, the VITAL point! For us that means value for money, it meant it back then and it means it today!

Adaptall continued into the 2000s with “Adaptall 2 “ and SP variants (SP for “Super Performance” take note) which were aimed at professional photographers. In fact, I recall from my days photographing motorsport professionally that the Tamron 300mm f2.8 was chosen in preference of the Nikkor or Canon alternatives not because of price but because it was the better lens!

However, we’re not going to write a history of these lenses nor are we going to list them…there are some fantastic websites already doing that. Click for link! Our intention is to bring them to the attention of more keen photographers…

Many of the Adaptall lenses were made as low cost options, none of them are rubbish. Most are very handy indeed, they are well thought out well designed and some are of spectacular optical quality.

The early 135mm f2.8 BBAR for example is not on many buyers’ radar…it is and exceptionally sharp and a fast lens, ideal now for fitting to a digital for photographing events for example, okay you lose autofocus but you gain control and stunning sharpness.

At the desirable end, the 90mm SP f2.5 (far right) has now regained a well deserved reputation for having devastating sharp optics, incredible Macro and has the perfect focal length for portraiture. These now fetch well in excess of three figures, it is considered by most as superior almost anything made by the camera makers.

Best thing is, all of this great glass is out there and it offers some of the best value in terms of lens prices that you can get your hands on. Check our own stock here: Lenses, see why we love these! ®